Newts / Salamanders

Although less well-known than other amphibians, interest in newt and salamander keeping has exploded in recent years. Several spectacularly-colored species, including the Fire Salamander and Kaiser Newt, are regularly bred in captivity, and the bizarre, aquatic Mexican Axolotl has taken the US, Japanese, and European pet trades by storm.

Show More

Although less well-known than other amphibians, interest in newt and salamander keeping has exploded in recent years. Several spectacularly-colored species, including the Fire Salamander and Kaiser Newt, are regularly bred in captivity, and the bizarre, aquatic Mexican Axolotl has taken the US, Japanese, and European pet trades by storm.

Many of the semi-aquatic newts accept commercial pellets as part of their diets, and are wonderful choices for folks seeking a bold, active pet. Land-dwelling species require a variety of live foods, and are often secretive, but Fire and Tiger Salamanders quickly lose their shyness and feed readily from the hand. Totally aquatic species range from the placid Axolotl and somewhat challenging Mudpuppies to a 3-foot-long, finger-chomping “swamp monster” known as the Amphiuma.

While longevities of 30+ years are known, all demand excellent water quality, and smaller, unstudied species can be difficult captives. None should be handled, due to their skin sensitivity and presence of skin toxins; the toxins of the California Newt and several relatives have caused fatalities when misguided individuals decided to snack on them. Much remains to be learned about these fascinating creatures, providing the serious keeper with the opportunity to make important contributions to their care and conservation.